2018 FORD F-53 coolant reservoir

Transmission Fluid Temperature
Gauge
Normal area
The transmission fluid is within the normal
operating temperature (between H and
C).
Yellow area
The transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This can
be caused by special operation conditions
(i.e. snowplowing, towing or off-road use).
Operating the transmission for extended
periods of time with the gauge in the
yellow area may cause internal
transmission damage. Altering the severity
of the driving conditions is recommended
to lower the transmission temperature into
the normal range.
Red area
The transmission fluid is overheating. Stop
the vehicle to allow the temperature to
return to normal range.
If the gauge is operating in the yellow or
red area, stop the vehicle and verify the
airflow is not restricted such as snow or
debris blocking airflow through the grille.
If the gauge continues to show high
temperatures, see your authorized dealer.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
WARNING
Do not remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the cooling system is hot.
Wait 10 minutes for the cooling
system to cool down. Cover the coolant
reservoir cap with a thick cloth to prevent
the possibility of scalding and slowly
remove the cap. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury. At normal operating temperature, the
needle remains in the center section.
Note:
Do not restart the engine until the
cause of overheating has been resolved.
If the needle enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Stop the engine,
switch the ignition off and determine the
cause once the engine has cooled down.
Fuel Gauge
Note: The fuel gauge may vary slightly
when your vehicle is moving or on a slope.
Switch the ignition on. The fuel gauge
indicates approximately how much fuel
you have left in the fuel tank. The arrow
adjacent to the fuel pump symbol
indicates on which side of your vehicle the
fuel filler door is located.
The needle should move toward F when
you refuel your vehicle. If the needle points
to E after adding fuel, have an authorized
dealer check the system soon.
After refueling, some variability in the
position of the needle is normal:
• It may take a short time for the needle
to reach F after leaving the gas station.
This is normal and depends upon the
slope of the pavement at the gas
station.
• The fuel amount dispensed into the
tank is a little less or more than the
gauge indicated. This is normal and
depends upon the slope of the
pavement at the gas station.
• If the gas station nozzle shuts off
before the tank is full, try a different
gas pump nozzle.
• There is a small reserve left in the tank
when the fuel gauge reaches empty.
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Engine
Action
Message
The engine is overheating. Stop your vehicle as soonas safely possible, turn off the engine. If the warning
stays on followed by an indicator chime or continues to come on, contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is running or hot.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER
The engine is overheating. Stop your vehicle as soonas safely possible, turn off the engine. If the warning
stays on followed by an indicator chime or continues to come on, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
STOP ENGINE SAFELY
The engine coolant is overheating. Stop your vehicle
as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE
A early reminder of a low fuel condition.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
Maintenance Action
Message
The engine oil pressure is low. Check the level of the
engine oil. If the oil level is OK and this warning persists, shut down the engine immediately and contact an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. See Engine Oil
Check (page 91).
LOW OIL PRESSURE
The brake fluid level is low and the brake system
should be inspected immediately.
See Brake Fluid
Check (page 99).
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW
The fuel cap is loose, not seated properly or off. Stop
your vehicle when convenient, turn off the engine and check that you inserted the fuel cap properly. Rotatethe cap until you hear a click. The warning messageswitches off after a proper drive cycle is completed.
See
Emission Law (page 33). If the warning message
remains on or continues to comes back on, see an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK FUEL CAP
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Engine coolant reservoir. See
Engine Coolant Check (page
93).
A
Engine oil filler cap. See Engine
Oil Check
(page 91).
B
Automatic transmission fluid
dipstick. See
Automatic
Transmission Fluid Check
(page
97).
C
Engine compartment fuse box.
See
Fuses (page 68).
D Engine oil dipstick. See
Engine
Oil Dipstick (page 91).
E
Air filter assembly. See
Changing the Engine Air Filter
(page
103).
F
Power steering fluid reservoir.
See
Power Steering Fluid
Check (page 100).
G
Brake fluid reservoir. See
Brake
Fluid Check (page 99).
H
UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW - MOTORHOME CHASSIS
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Engine coolant reservoir. See
Engine Coolant Check (page
93).
A
Engine oil filler cap. See Engine
Oil Check
(page 91).
B
Automatic transmission fluid
dipstick. See
Automatic
Transmission Fluid Check
(page
97).
C
Engine compartment fuse box.
See
Fuses (page 68).
D
Air filter assembly. See
Changing the Engine Air Filter
(page
103).
E
Engine oil dipstick. See
Engine
Oil Dipstick (page 91).
F
Power steering fluid reservoir.
See
Power Steering Fluid
Check (page 100).
G
Brake fluid reservoir. See
Brake
Fluid Check (page 99).
H ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
MINA
MAX
B
ENGINE OIL CHECK
To check the engine oil level consistently
and accurately, do the following:
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AB

Note:
Do not add oil further than the
maximum mark. Oil levels above the
maximum mark may cause engine damage.
Note: Make sure you install the oil filler cap
correctly.
Note: Soak up any spillage with an
absorbent cloth immediately.
OIL CHANGE INDICATOR
RESET
Resetting the Oil Life Monitoring
System
Only reset the oil life monitoring system
after changing the engine oil and oil filter.
To reset the oil life monitoring system do
the following:
1. Switch the ignition on. Do not start the
engine.
2. Fully press the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time.
3. Keep the accelerator and brake pedals
fully pressed.
4. After three seconds, a message displays confirming the reset procedure
is in progress.
5. After 25 seconds, a message displays confirming the reset procedure is
complete.
6. Release the accelerator and brake pedals.
7. Switch the ignition off. ENGINE COOLANT CHECK WARNINGS
Do not remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the cooling system is hot.
Wait 10 minutes for the cooling
system to cool down. Cover the coolant
reservoir cap with a thick cloth to prevent
the possibility of scalding and slowly
remove the cap. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury. Do not put coolant in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir. If sprayed on
the windshield, coolant could make
it difficult to see through the windshield. To reduce the risk of personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure
relief cap. The cooling system is under
pressure. Steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when you loosen the cap
slightly. Do not add coolant further than the
MAX mark.
When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the coolant at
the intervals listed in the scheduled
maintenance information. See Scheduled
Maintenance
(page 140).
Note: Make sure that the coolant level is
between the
MIN and MAX marks on the
coolant reservoir.
Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the
MAX mark.
Maintain coolant concentration within
48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze
point between -30°F (-34°C) and -34°F
(-37°C). Coolant concentration should be
checked using a refractometer. We do not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentration.
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Adding Coolant
WARNING
Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.
Note:
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Take care not to put
engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid reservoir or windshield washer fluid in
the engine coolant reservoir.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants, or non-specified additives
as they can cause damage to the engine
cooling or heating systems. Resulting
component damage may not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.
It is very important to use prediluted
coolant approved to the correct
specification in order to avoid plugging the
small passageways in the engine cooling
system. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 129). Do not mix
different colors or types of coolant in your
vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants or using
an incorrect coolant may harm the engine
or cooling system components and may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
Note: If prediluted coolant is not available,
use the approved concentrated coolant
diluting it to 50/50 with distilled water. See
Capacities and Specifications (page 129).
Using water that has not been deionised
may contribute to deposit formation,
corrosion and plugging of the small cooling
system passageways.
Note: Coolants marketed for all makes and
models may not be approved to Ford
specifications and may cause damage to
the cooling system. Resulting component
damage may not be covered by the vehicle
Warranty. If the coolant level is at or below the
minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
To top up the coolant level do the
following:
1. Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure
escapes as you unscrew the cap.
2. Add prediluted coolant approved to the correct specification. See
Capacities and Specifications (page
129
).
3. Add enough prediluted coolant to reach the correct level.
4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turn
it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
5. Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the next few times you drive
your vehicle. If necessary, add enough
prediluted engine coolant to bring the
coolant level to the correct level.
If you have to add more than
1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating
and possible engine damage.
Note: During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.
In case of emergency, you can add a large
amount of water without engine coolant
in order to reach a vehicle service location.
In this instance, qualified personnel:
1. Must drain the cooling system.
2. Chemically clean the coolant system with Motorcraft Premium Cooling
System Flush.
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When this occurs, your vehicle still
operates, however:
•
Engine power is limited.
• The air conditioning system turns off.
Continued operation increases the engine
temperature, causing the engine to
completely shut down. Your steering and
braking effort increases in this situation.
When the engine temperature cools, you
can re-start the engine. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated WARNINGS
Fail-safe mode is for use during
emergencies only. Operate your
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long
as necessary to bring your vehicle to rest
in a safe location and seek immediate
repairs. When in fail-safe mode, your
vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and
may completely shut down without
warning, potentially losing engine power,
power steering assist, and power brake
assist, which may increase the possibility
of a crash resulting in serious injury. Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.
Your vehicle has limited engine power
when in the fail-safe mode, drive your
vehicle with caution. Your vehicle does not
maintain high-speed operation and the
engine may operate poorly.
Remember that the engine is capable of
automatically shutting down to prevent
engine damage. In this situation:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and switch the engine off. 2. If you are a member of a roadside
assistance program, we recommend
that you contact your roadside
assistance service provider.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level. If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark,
add prediluted coolant immediately.
5. When the engine temperature cools, you can re-start the engine. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible to
minimize engine damage.
Note: Driving your vehicle without repair
increases the chance of engine damage.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Management (If Equipped) WARNING
To reduce the risk of crash and injury,
be prepared that the vehicle speed
may reduce and the vehicle may not
be able to accelerate with full power until
the coolant temperature reduces. If you tow a trailer with your vehicle, the
engine may temporarily reach a higher
temperature during severe operating
conditions, for example ascending a long
or steep grade in high ambient
temperatures.
At this time, you may notice the coolant
temperature gauge moves toward the red
zone and a message may appear in the
information display.
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•
Use only DOT 5.1 brake fluid that is
certified to meet Ford specifications.
• A clear gel-like substance in the
hydraulic brake master cylinder
reservoir may appear on some vehicles.
This substance is a silicone base
lubricant used during assembly of the
master cylinder. It will float on top of
the brake hydraulic fluid in the master
cylinder. This condition is normal and
in no way affects the operation of the
brake system. It does not require any
service.
• Brake system fluid should be replaced
on a regular basis to maintain optimum
braking performance, especially under
heavy-duty driving conditions such as
frequent steep grades or heavy towing
loads. See Scheduled Maintenance
(page 140).
Hydroboost
Chassis with gross vehicle weight ratings
of 16000 pounds (7257 kilograms), 18000
pounds (8165 kilograms) and 19500
pounds (8845 kilograms) are equipped
with Hydroboost Brake Booster Systems
and must use Motorcraft High
Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake
Fluid or equivalent meeting Ford
Specification WSS-M6C62-A.
Add brake fluid from a clean unopened
container until the level reaches MAX. Do
not fill above this line. Use only DOT 3
brake fluid that is certified to meet Ford
specifications.
Brake system fluid should be replaced on
a regular basis to maintain optimum
braking performance, especially under
heavy-duty driving conditions such as
frequent steep grades or heavy towing
loads. See
Scheduled Maintenance
(page 140). POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Note:
The power steering cap has both a
cold and hot indicator on the dipstick.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature
(the engine coolant temperature gauge
indicator will be near the center of the
normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
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